Heartland Summit 2025 - Heartland Forward

HEARTLAND SUMMIT 2025
MEET IN THE MIDDLE

2025 HEARTLAND SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS

$500 million by 2030

Heartland Forward set a bold goal to drive $500 million in economic impact in the heartland by 2030. As policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, philanthropists and thought leaders from across the country gathered in Bentonville, we announced the initiatives to make this goal a reality. These groundbreaking announcements included the launch of the Maternal and Child Health Center of Policy and Practice, a first-of-its-kind AI ed tech platform with Stemuli, the first publication of Pulse of the Heartland, the creation of a STEM-focused university and more.

Harnessing the power of AI in the Heartland

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industry and communities across the globe. By elevating the conversation around AI at the 2025 Heartland Summit we took concrete action to prepare the heartland to fully harness the power of artificial intelligence for economic transformation.

2025 Secret Sauce communities unveiled

Moderated by Axios Co-Founder Mike Allen, this session focused on our 2025 Secret Sauce Communities— Chattanooga, Fargo and Wichita. Alongside Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, Co-Founder and CEO of Emerging Prairie Greg Tehven and Wichita Mayor Lily Wu, we showcased each city’s innovative approaches to economic growth, community development and cultural vitality, the recognition highlighted these communities for having the right ingredients to thrive.

Meaningful conversations driving action

At the 2025 Heartland Summit, highly curated dinners fostered in-depth discussions on the drivers of economic growth in the heartland. By bringing together global leaders and innovators, the dinners sparked insights that translated into actionable strategies for community transformation.

Heartland Summit Co-Founder Olivia Walton alongside First Lady of New Jersey, Tammy Murphy, Chief Executive Office of Centene Corporation, Sarah M. London, President of Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas Rebecca Pittillo and Vice President, Benefits & Wellbeing, Walmart Inc., Lisa Woods

Kendra Scott, Founder and Executive Chairwoman, Kendra Scott, LLC

Heartland Summit attendees enjoying pickleball at the Walton Family Whole Health and Fitness Center on campus at the Walmart New Home Office

Larry Miller, Chairman of The Jordan Brand and Co-Founder of JUMP

rootEd Arkansas students receiving checks from Heartland Forward and rootEd Alliance, photographed alongside Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Dr. Becky Kennedy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Good Inside

Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global and Ivanka Trump, Co-Founder of Planet Harvest

Kelly Corrigan, best-selling author and host of “Kelly Corrigan Wonders” and Jenny Just, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Peak 6 Investments

Jessica Berman, National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner and Nadia Rawlinson, Chicago Sky Co-Owner, Operating Chairman and League Owner

John Doerr, Chairman, Kleiner Perkins

Orlando Bravo, Founder and Managing Partner of Thoma Bravo

Mike Allen, Co-Founder, Axios alongside Steuart Walton and Tom Walton, Co-Founders of the Heartland Summit

Traler Park performs at the 2025 Heartland Summit

Olivia Walton, Co-Founder of the Heartland Summit

SPEAKERS

Adebayo Ogunlesi

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Global Infrastructure Partners

Alice Walton

Founder Alice L. Walton Foundation, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, Art Bridges Foundation, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Heartland Whole Health Institute

Ali Jeffrey